Coupling.



C. J. LARKIN.

COUPLING. A PPLIGATION rILnD JAN. 1s, 1913.

Patented Sept. 8, 1914.

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Witnesses'.

.WASHINUTOM D c.

NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CLIFFORD J'. LARKIN, OF EVERETT, MASSACHUSETTS.

COUPLING.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLIFFORD J. LARKIN, a citizen of the United States, residingv aty Everett, county of Middlesex, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Couplings, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawing, is a specification, like characters on the drawing representing like parts.

This invention relates to couplings of that type which permits the two pipe sections to be coupled together merely by a movement toward each other in the direction of the axis of the coupling, and the object of the invention is yto provide a novel coupling of this type which can be inexpensively manufactured and which is eiiective in operation.

In order to illustrate the invention I have herein shown it as it might be applied in a tire connector, that is, in a coupling for connecting the pipe of an vair pump to the valve stem of a pneumatic tire. I wish tostate, however, that may invention is not limited to this particular use, but would be adapted for coupling any two pipe sections together.

Referring to the drawings wherein I have illustrated some embodiments of my invention, Figure l is an elevation of a coupling embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional view through the coupling taken on the line w-ai, Fig. 5; Fig. 3 is a detail view of one of the sections of the coupling member; Fig. 4E is a view partly in section showing the manner ofcoupling the two pipe sections together; Fig. 5 is a section on the line y y, Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 5, but showing the way in which the parts are assembled in the manufacture of the coupling; Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing a different embodiment of my invention; Fig. Sis a view similar to Fig. 3 showing Vone of the coupling member sections illustrated in Fig. 7. y

My improved coupling comprises a body member which is adapted to engage the end of one of the pipe sections to be coupled and a coupling member which encircles the body member and has a slight movement longitudinallythereof, said coupling member and body member having such a construction that this longitudinal movement causes the pipe-engaging portion of the coupling mend# ber to expand or contract.l

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed January 13, 1913.

Patented Sept. 8, 1914.

Serial No. 741,714.

In the drawings l designates one of the pipe sections that aretobe coupled and 2y the other pipe section.` These two pipe sections might be of any construction for any member; 3 and a coupling member desig.

nated generally by 4. The body member is connectedr to the pipe section 2 in any suitable way, that depending on the nature of the pipe section. yWhere the pipe section/2 is a rubber or flexible hose member the body 8 may have the nipple 5 provided with the serrated surface which is inserted into the pipe section 2, said nipple being secured to thek pipe section 2 by a binding wire 6. However, the body member 3 might be screwed to the pipesection 2 if the latter were a metal pipe section, or fastenedthereto Vin any other way without departing from the invention.

The pipe section l is screw-threadedand the coupling member/i is provided with eX-4 pansible screw-threaded jaws adapted to engage the screw-threads of the pipe section l. In the embodiment of the invention herein shown the pipe section 1 is exteriorly screwthreaded, and, therefore, constitutes the male member, and the jaws of the coupling member are interiorly screwsthreaded so that the latter constitute the female member.` These interiorly screw-threaded jaws are designated by 7 and there may be any desired number of them. I have herein shown three, although the number is not important.

To provide for opening and closing the jaws 7 the coupling member 4 and the body 3 are each of special construction, that is, the body 3 has atapering portion 8 and the coupling member encircles the body portion and is capable of movement 'longitudinally thereof, land also yhas such a construction that this longitudinal movement will effect the opening and closing of the aws 7. The coupling member is divided longitudinally yinto a plurality 'of sections 9, there being asmany sections as there arejaws 7. yEach section 9 is shownv as havingthe .central por. tion of larger diameter and the two end portions 7 and 10 of smaller diametennthe end portionj7 constituting the .pipe-engag#` ing jaw (which ai aus embodiment 'of an.

connectingfthe retaining ring to the sectionsl i of the coupling member is to provide the enlarged portion 9 of each member with an opening or openings, and to provide the retaining ring with indented portions- 12 to enter` these openings. In Fig. 5 each coupling section 9 is provided with raV central'opening 13 to receive the in'- dented-portion 12 'ofthe retaining ring: In Figs. 7 andS Ihave shown a construction wherein each coupling member section is provided at eachy end with-an opening 13 to receivethe indented: p`ortion12 of the retaining ring. In thisy embodiment each indented'portion 12'enters the openingl' in the adj acent'fedges of twocoupling mem'- ber sections 9.

The relative size ofthe-couplingmember andthe'body member'are such as to permit a slight longitudinalmovement of the coupling member on the body member, and when thecouplingimember is moved vtoward theendof lthfe'body member the engagement ofthe'taperedA portion Sthereofwith the contracted portion 10 of the coupling. member causes 4the sections: of the coupling member to rock infa direction toclose-the jaws 7 together `whilea movement of-the coupling member in an opposite directionon' thebody* member f brings fthe end 'of the bodyl member againstl thel'in'clined facesl 15mn the front end of'.` the couplingemember sections Sland` thereby-opensthejaws, asshown in Figi i1 To connect' thepipe 2fV to the valvestem 1 the 'operator' grasps` thef retaining ringf11` and draws the coupling. member baekwardly ontliel bodyt member 3,y asshowny Fig.v 4e This opens tliefjawsf soas-k t'o ,l permit; the

screw-threaded portion-"ofthe pipe-section 1 to enter said j aws, as i seen 'inA Fig;y t.

The bodyv member 2l is 1 preferably: proi videdv with a gasket 16 against@ which the end;A of "the pipe seotionwl seats to `make' a tight joint:` Wien the bodym'ember' ande pipe section are in iproperiposition, as shown in Fig. 4,' the couplingfmember 'is moved 1 toward the end of thebodyvmemb'er," and in so doin'gi the engagementof thetapered portion Sof the body'inember with: the contracted portion 10 `of' the lcoupling member: rooks'1the'fcoiipling. finember ysections '-9 there; by@ "closings thefj aws onto theyfpipe section l, as shown in Fig. 2. The coupling can then be tightened and made perfectly air tight by simply turning the coupling member sections slightly on the body member. AV partial turn is suflicient for this purpose. The act of coupling the pipe 2 to the valve stem 1, therefore, merely involves inserting the coupling member over the valve stem, and in performing this act the coupling member is naturally given a movement longitudinally of the body sutlicient to close the jaws onto the pipe, and then giving the coupling member a partial turn.

In the embodiment of the invention herein illustrated the pipe-engaging jaws are screwthreaded `to fit the screw-threads of the pipe section 1. It is to be understood, however, that it is not essential tliat'the pipe-engaging jaws should be screw-threaded, asthey may have any suitable construction adapted to grip the pipe section 1.

Ihave herein referred to the part 3 as a body member which is secured to a pipe section 2, but this part 3 might be considered end 'of one of the pipe sections to be connectportion 8' and be otherwise constructed to operate within thev coupling member. IIence when Irefer to a body member in the appendedclaims I intend to cover the invention whether saidbody member beoonsidered-as one of the pipe sections or asa separate element that is yconnected to one ofthe pipe sections.

In order to facilitate the assembling of the parts I propose to make the retaining ring 11 with an interior diameter slightly greater than the exterior diameter of the can be slipped over: the coupling member as shown in Fig. 6. Then this is done the retainingV ringfis `indented atl points opposite the "openings V13 thereby to provide the-,por-

done in a suitablev press or ink any otherl appropriate way.l j

While ITY havel illustrated some embodimentsfof my invention, from which the principle thereof willbeevident, yet I? desire to state that-the numerous changes in constructional features ymaybe made without departingfrom the invention.

Having: fully described my invention, whatfI` claim as new and desire'to secure by Letters Patent is couplingf member divided longitudinally within thel couplingmember and capable of asa pipe section for it is-obvious that the` ed together might be' made with the tapered couplingfmember so that said retaining ring tions 12 whichenterth'ev openingsl.y This` indenting.y of they coupling; ringL can be easilyk 1: In arcoupling, the'combinationwith a` into a plurality of sections and providedl atf' one end: withv pipe-engaging jaws, of a: bodymember having.A a portion situated' a slight-longitudinal movement therein, said coupling and body members'having such. a:

i'elative shape that such longitudinal movement will cause the coupling member sections to rook in two directions about transverse axes thereby to move the jaws radially. c

2. In a coupling, the combination with a body member having tapering portions, of a coupling member encircling `said tapering portionsand provided at one end with pipe engaging jaws, said coupling member being divided longitudinally into a plurality of sections and capable of a slight movement longitudinally of the body member, the tapering portions of the body member acting during such movement to rook the coupling member sections movement in one direction operating to open the aws and movement in the opposite direction operating to close the jaws.

3. In a coupling, the combination with a body member of a coupling member encircling the body member and capable of slight longitudinal movement, said coupling member' having pipe engaging jaws, the aforesaid parts being so shaped that movement in one direction will open the jaws, and movement in the other direction will close the jaws.

l. A coupling comprising a body member, a coupling member surrounding the body member and divided to present a plurality of separate coupling member sections, each having an opening and a common retaining member encircling the coupling member and having portions to enter said openings, said retaining member holding the coupling member sections in position relative to each other and in position on the body member, and said body and coupling member sections having such shape relative to each other that relative longitudinal movement of the body and coupling members causes the coupling member sections to rock.

`5. In a coupling, the combination with the body member, of a coupling member encircling the body member and divided longitudinally into a plurality of sections, each having a pipe engaging jaw, a retaining member encircling the coupling member sections and held from longitudinal movement relative thereto and holding them in proper relative position while permitting rocking movement thereof, said parts having such a shape that relative longitudinal movement will cause a radial movement of the pipe engaging jaws.

6. A coupling comprising coupling member sections, concave in longitudinal cross section, means connecting the sections, a body member substantially filling the space between the coupling member sections and capable of slight longitudinal movement therein, said body member and sections havingl such relative shape that longitudinal movement of the body member will rock the sections.

7. A coupling comprising coupling meinber sections concave in longitudinal cross sections, means connecting the sections to hold them in place but permit rocking movement thereof and a body member substantially filling the space between the coupling member sections and capable oi slight longitudinal movement therein to control the rocking movement of the sections.

In testimony whereof, -I have signed my name to vthis specificatiom-in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CLIFFORD J. LARKIN. `Witnessesz Louis C. SMi'ri-i, THOMAS J. DRUMMOND.

Gopies of this patent may be obtained for :five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

